Locking mechanism for interconnecting two mated connectors

Abstract

A first receptacle connector includes a first main body having a first projecting section on the front portion, and a second plug connector includes a second main body having a second projecting section on the front portion wherein a hook device is provided on the first projecting section of the first receptacle connector and a locking slot is provided on the second projecting section of the second plug connector, and said second projecting section of the second plug connector further includes a release device which can incorporate the hook device of the first projecting section of the first receptacle connector to unhook the engagement between the hook of the first projecting section of the first receptacle and the locking slot of the second projecting section of the second plug connector.

We claims: 
     
       1. An arrangement for combining two connectors together, comprising: a first connector having a first projecting section with a first tang having an upward tag at a distal end thereof; and   a second connector having a second projecting section with a second tang having a downward tag at a distal end thereof; whereby when the first connector and the second connector are mated with each other, the upward tag of the first tang of the first connector can be latchably engaged with a locking edge of the second connector, and the downward tag of the second tang of the second connector is substantially positioned above the first tang and ready to actuate the first tang to deflectably move downward wherein the first tang extends in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction in which the second tang extends.   
     
     
       2. The arrangement as described in claim 1, wherein said first tang extends in a front-to-end direction in a first opening of the first connector, and the second tang extends in the same front-to-end direction in a second opening of the second connector. 
     
     
       3. The arrangement as described in claim 1, wherein said first projecting section of the first connector is substantially received within the second projecting section of the second connector. 
     
     
       4. A connector assembly consisting of a first connector and a second connector, wherein said first connector includes a first projecting section with a latching device thereof; and   said second connector includes a second projecting section forming a releasing device and an opening; whereby   when said first connector and said second connector are coupled to each other, the second projecting section surrounds said first projecting section and the latching device of the first projecting section of the first connector can be locked with the opening of the second projecting section of the second connector for preventing the first connector from moving away from the second connector, and at least a portion of the releasing device of the second connector superimposes a portion of the first latching device of the first connector for being ready to actuate the latching device thereunder for detaching the first connector from the second connector.   
     
     
       5. The connector assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said latching device of the first connector actuated by the releasing device of the second connector is inwardly deflected. 
     
     
       6. The connector assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the latching device includes an inwardly deflectable tang with an upward tag, at a distal end thereof, which cooperates with a locking edge formed on the opening of second projecting section of the second connector to secure the first connector and the second connector together when said first and second connectors are coupled to each other. 
     
     
       7. The connector assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein said releasing device includes an inwardly deflectable tang with a downward tag, at a distal end thereof, which cooperates with said portion of the latching device to release the first connector from the second connector when said latching device is actuated by the releasing device of the second connector. 
     
     
       8. The connector assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein the releasing device extends in the opening of the second projecting section of the second connector.